Meet Our Teachers

Our professional teaching team is passionate about Early Childhood Education. They are members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and regularly attend conferences and workshops to stay current in their field. Each staff member greatly exceeds the state’s educational requirements and is fingerprinted, background checked, and certified in CPR & first aide.

Our Preschool Teacher, Leslie Szumowski, is a Mentor Teacher for Diablo Valley College and Valley Parent is proud to be a mentor school for their student teachers.

Director and TRF AM Pre-K Teacher: Sarah Bradford

Sarah completed her Early Childhood Education at Diablo Valley College and CSU Bakersfield and holds a CA Site Supervisor and Master Teacher permit. She came to Valley Parent in 2005 when her daughter started in the preschool program. Sarah subbed regularly in the classroom and served on the Executive Board before joining our teaching team in 2009. Prior to coming to VPP Sarah taught Pre-K locally and in Central California and later ran a small co-op program out of her home. She enjoys sewing, reading, traveling with her family, and cheering on her kids at their soccer and baseball games. She and her husband live in San Ramon with their 10 and 12 year old children , both whom attended Valley Parent.

Preschool & Mentor Teacher: Leslie Szumowski

Leslie holds a CA Site Supervisor and Master Teacher permit, is a CA Mentor Teacher, and has completed the Music Together Instructor Course. She has been working with children in the San Ramon Valley for over 18 years and started teaching at Valley Parent in 2005. Prior to that Leslie taught as an elementary school instructional art aide and later as a preschool teacher at Crow Canyon Gardens. She enjoys gardening, volunteering and traveling with her husband; most recently to China, Alaska and Eastern Europe . Their two grown children attended a cooperative preschool when they were younger. Leslie and her husband live in Dublin with their two huge loveable goldendoodles.

AM Teacher: Viki Hentz

Viki first came to Valley Parent when her daughter started preschool in 2007 and joined our teaching staff in 2011. As a parent she subbed regularly in the classroom and served on the Executive Board. Viki has a B.A. in Psychology and a California Multiple Subject Teacher Credential. Prior to coming to Valley Parent she taught Preschool, First and Second grade. Viki enjoys cooking, reading, volunteering in her children’s classrooms, and playing with her labradoodle puppy, Maggie. Viki and her husband live in Danville with their two children; both whom attended Valley Parent.

MWF AM Pre-K Teacher: Tess Bramer

Tess first came to Valley Parent when her now18 year old son started preschool and then returned in 2007 to join our teaching team. Prior to teaching at Valley Parent Tess worked for seven years as a professional nanny and as a teacher at a Montessori school. She has a CA Master Teacher permit, enjoys introducing her class to American Sign Language, and has completed the Music Together Instructor Course. Tess enjoys baking, back yard sports like wiffle ball and croquet, and exploring the Northern California coast with her family. She and her husband have one son away at college and live in San Ramon with their high school son and their labradoodle, Venus.

PM Pre-K Teacher: Meghan Gates

Meghan discovered VPP when she enrolled her son in our preschool program 2 years ago and her daughter will be attending preschool this year! She has a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development from Chico State University. She received her Multiple Subject Credential from Chico as well and taught Kindergarten in the Bay Area for 7 years before leaving to have her two children. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, camping and traveling. Meghan is so excited to be joining the team of wonderful parents, students, and teachers at Valley Parent Preschool!

PM Pre-K Aide: Vinnie Quiris

Vinnie holds an associate teacher permit. Prior to working at VPP,

she was in the financial services industry for several years. She

also worked for a year at a preschool in Walnut Creek. She came

to VPP in 2012. She lives in Walnut Creek. She enjoys watching

movies, listening to music, and going on vacations to Southern

California and visiting nearby areas especially San Francisco.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING…

Valley Parent Preschool is a place that I have become very familiar with. 2 of my children have attended this school and both have enjoyed every moment spent there. All the teachers at this school are first and foremost parents. They understand that every child is different and they welcome and encourage every child's unique personality as well as nourish their creative minds.
Having never had a babysitter, the most important thing for me was to feel comfortable leaving my first child at this school the very first day. That is something I will never question again. The teachers treat each child as if they were their own and they respond with love and kindness in every situation. They teach them respect, kindness, how to deal with their feelings, how to get along and share, as well as all the other educational aspects essential in life. Their focus is to educate the child and encourage what it is they are interested in learning about. I have enjoyed every moment at this school and I am thankful to have met such amazingly loving teachers.— Barbara, Danville